Martin Sharp's(Pierce Brosnan) life is a wreck. A once high profile TV personality, Sharp has tumbled from the height of popularity after a sex affair with an fifteen year old girl went public, which after a stint in prison, destroyed his family and career. Due to this, he sees no reason to go on with life if he's lost his family and notoriety (for the right reasons, that is.) Deciding to end his humiliation and misery once and for all, he climbs to the roof of the Toppers Building, a building notorious for suicide, to throw himself off of it.

As Martin prepares to take the final leap, he's interrupted by an older, timid woman whom identifies herself as Maureen (Toni Collette) and the two strike up a conversation just as Martin nervously steps down from the ledge. As soon as Maureen begins to step up to take Martin's place, a young twenty something erratic girl comes barreling through but is stopped by Martin and Maureen. A mini brawl breaks out between the 3 as the pair struggle to keep the girl on the ground... "Anyone order a... pizza?" they hear off to the side. All three look over to see a young depressed pizza delivery boy.

After the four decide to leave Toppers behind, introductions begin between the four as we learn more about the group and why they were up on the roof in the first place. Maureen claims she never got to live her life. Jess Creighton (Imogen Poots), the erratic young girl and the daughter of a politician, claims to use it as revenge against her boyfriend who recently dumped her. Lastly, John Julius, rather J.J. (Aaron Paul) has an inoperable brain tumor.

After an incident where Jess overdoses on pills, the four form a pact with one another stating that none of the group can commit suicide until Valentine's day, but after that, they can do as they please. There are some ramifications to this pact though, as their secret is soon leaked to the exploitative media world and the story sweeps the globe like a wildfire. Their private lives soon become public and are ripped apart as we find out the real reasons why J.J, Maureen and Jess actually ended up on that roof.

Martin soon has the idea to turn the story into their own and flip it on the press, which ultimately backfires when Penny (Rosamund Pike), Martin's former co-host, tears apart their personal lives on live television. To escape the media and to grow stronger with one another, the four escape to an island paradise, where even more truths come to light that threaten their bond.

Easily the best thing about this film is the cast. The four lead actors are perfectly cast in their roles and are a terrific ensemble. While I've always been a fan of Brosnan's, and Paul is spectacular in Breaking Bad, the real standouts here are Poots and Collette, who chew the scenery every time they're on screen. The actors really got lost in their roles and made the parts their own, they were such a joy to watch together. The biggest drawback to it is the fact that it had the potential to be so much better. With the type of story, the source material, and the cast, this could have been a much better product than a simple feel good "popcorn" movie.

- Positives:

+ The cast is spectacular together.

+ The film succeeds exactly with what it sets out to be. A feel good film.

+ Each character is fleshed out properly. Each with their own segment dedicated to finding out about their backgrounds.

- Negatives:

- A bit rushed in some areas, especially the opening scene with all of the characters on the rooftop. The film would have benefited with another 20 minutes added to the run time.

- Rosamund Pike is horribly underutilized with her only scene being the one from the trailer, which amasses to maybe two minutes. Sam Neill doesn't get much better treatment as he only appears in about three.

Video and Audio:
The film is presented in a 108p High Definition 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The film looks absolutely gorgeous, it's very slick through and through. A Long Way Down has absolutely no CGI and barely any big special effects. The film really shines in the back half when the group goes on vacation, capitalizing on the films vivid scenery.

The film is presented with an excellent English 5.1 DTS-HD master lossless audio mix. The audio has crystal clear sound and the dialogue is clear throughout. There were no signs of distortion or any kind of dropout through playback.

Extras: - Seven deleted scenes that amount to a bit over 8 minutes.

- Outtakes that total about 7 minutes.

- Making of A Long Way Down: Jumping in with the cast and crew - A 8 minute behind the scenes featurette with Hornby, Brosnan, Paul, Poots, Collette, Pike, and Neill discussing their characters and the film itself.

- On Toppers Tower: A behind the scenes view - A minute and a half segment showing how the opening scene was created.

- Working with the Director: Pascal Chaumeil - a 2 minute segment essentially praising the director.

- Adapting the story - A 3 and half minute segment with the cast and crew discussing what attracted them to the project.

- AXS TV: A look at A Long Way Down - A 2 minute segment with the cast and crew talking about the film intersected with the trailer of the movie.

- Trailer.

- Other trailers from Magnolia Home Entertainment.

Overall:
A Long Way Down is a very solid film that tackles a controversial subject but at the same time kind of dodges around it. If you're looking for a feel good popcorn type movie with an exceptional cast, then A Long Way Down comes recommended.